Metro Digest / Local News in Brief

Court OKs Merger of 3 Palos Verdes High Schools

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Friday cleared the way for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District to consolidate its three high school campuses into one by next fall.

Judge John Zebrowski ruled that the district did comply with state law when it prepared an environmental impact report on school closures. District critics had sought to stop the consolidation plan on the grounds that the district had failed to properly study traffic, parking and other problems.

"I can assure you I am extremely happy," Superintendent Michael Caston said. "I think this gives us a clear mind for the future." The district decided to consolidate the high schools because of dwindling enrollment and mounting fiscal problems. Miraleste and Palos Verdes high schools will be closed and students reassigned to Rolling Hills High School. That school will be renamed Palos Verdes Peninsula High School.